Remember when Pokémon caused a child crime wave in the '90s?

Everyone is excited about Pokémon now, but that wasn't the case in the '90s. Mark Kauzlarich/Reuters

It's the 1990s all over again, with Pokémon back in the news cycle. The difference — at least for now — is that most of the coverage focuses on the novelty and excitement of the game. Back then, however, as the game increased in popularity it was deliriously scapegoated for everything from crime waves to promoting gambling to exposing children to occult influences. Here's a look, Jigglypuff!

Think of the children!

There were inevitable concerns about the effect the game was having on children. An Associated Press article claimed it was stirring up crime, and quoted a father who wished his "son would take up a less dangerous hobby."

The piece also included "Tips for Parents" on how to avoid Pokécrime, like "Never take card collections outside of the home without adult supervision," and "Don't tell others the location inside your house where the card collection is stored." Another story claimed the trading cards were causing a "crime wave."

An 11-year-old was arrested for armed robbery at school after using a knife to rob other kids of their cards. And a lawsuit was filed against Nintendo claiming that Pokémon cards counted as gambling because you had to buy them to start with.

The plaintiff's lawyer in the case claimed "You pay to play, there is the element of chance, and you've got a prize," and accused Nintendo of "a pattern of racketeering activity …" (And The New York Times deemed this worthy of coverage.)

Pokémon is the Devil!

For their part in the fervor, religious fundamentalists saw Pokémon as a threat to the morals of children and their respective scriptures.

A pastor in Toledo, Ohio explained "We forbid bringing them to church because what's happened is, instead of paying attention in class kids would be playing with these cards." News flash: kids like games better than school.

Poké-hibition

Governments around the world got in on the hysteria, too. Turkey put a ban in place, claiming the game didn't make a distinction between good and evil. The Saudi government banned it as well, insisting it "possessed children" and contained symbolism like the Star of David "which everyone knows is connected to international zionism."

The Japanese Prime Minister at the time didn't help by saying "Rays and lasers have been considered for use as weapons. Their effects have not been fully determined" — meaninglessly alarming jargon that had parents terrified.

And here we go again ...

The backlash to the current augmented reality version has already begun, of course, with people bemoaning the game's ruining of strolls, restaurant going, and driving, among other things. No word yet on how it's ruining children, but give it time.